Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing are prepared to use the nursing process to provide effective nursing services to individuals receiving care in inpatient settings and in structured outpatient settings. The academic program provides students with a closely related mix of theory and clinical practice; students gain experience in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and community agencies.
The associate, baccalaureate, master's, post-master's certificate nursing programs at University of Alaska Anchorage at the Alaska campuses located in Anchorage, Alaska is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate, baccalaureate, master's, post-master's certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/ search-programs.
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates of the AAS in Nursing must sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to practice nursing in structured inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and community agencies.
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certification website for more information.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Review and complete the admission process according to instructions and deadlines on the School of Nursing program website.
- Students will initially be admitted to pre-major status. Admission to pre-major status does not guarantee subsequent admission to the major. As a pre-major, students work with an academic advisor to assist them in completing pre-major requirements and preparing them to apply to the full major.
Special Considerations
Prior to the commencement of the nursing program, students must provide documentation for the following:
- Immunizations: Proof of rubella, rubeola, and mumps vaccination or titer; varicella (chickenpox) vaccination or titer; Hepatitis B titer demonstrating immunity; Hepatitis A titer demonstrating immunity; diphtheria/tetanus vaccine within the past ten years; influenza vaccine within the previous twelve months.
- Freedom from active tuberculosis: Verified annually by a negative PPD skin test or by a health examination conducted by a nurse practitioner, physician, or physician's assistant.
- Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Required for infants, children, and adults.
- Additional requirements: May include, but are not limited to, drug screening, additional vaccinations, and/or clinical facility-specific requirements.
- Eligibility determination from a national-level criminal background check.
- Professional liability insurance: Specific information regarding acceptable policies can be obtained directly from the program.
- Proof of health insurance: The school assumes no responsibility for illnesses and injuries experienced by students during their clinical experiences; students who are injured while completing clinical assignments are responsible for all associated medical costs.
Furthermore, students enrolled in clinical courses must arrange their own transportation to clinical assignments and will need to purchase uniforms and specialized equipment.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A240 & A240L | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences and Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences Laboratory | 4 |
| DN A203 | Nutrition for Health Sciences | 3 |
| NURS A120 & A120L | Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Fundamentals Laboratory | 7 |
| NURS A125 & A125L | Adult Nursing I and Adult Nursing I Laboratory | 6 |
| NURS A180 | Basic Nursing Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS A220 & A220L | Perinatal Nursing and Perinatal Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS A222 & A222L | Child and Family Nursing and Child and Family Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS A223 & A223L | Concepts of Adult Nursing and Concepts of Adult Nursing Laboratory | 2 |
| NURS A225 & A225L | Adult Nursing II and Adult Nursing II Laboratory | 6 |
| NURS A250 & A250L | Psychiatric Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing Laboratory | 4 |
| NURS A260 | Transition to Professional Nursing | 2 |
| PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Total | 56 | |
A minimum of 68 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing will be able to:
- Utilize critical thinking skills to assess and diagnose nursing needs and to prioritize, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients and their families in institutional and community based settings.
- Effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically with health team members, patients and their families.
- Plan, implement and evaluate care that is safe, evidence-based, caring, and developmentally and culturally sensitive within ethical, legal and professional standards.
- Coordinate care of small groups of patients in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
- Develop a plan for lifelong learning and continuing professional development.